Turner faces challenge from Cox in fight for the 15th District

State Sen. Shirley Turner is seeking her fourth term in the state Legislature’s upper house while fending off a challenge from Don Cox, a former Ewing councilman.

As property taxes and unemployment rates remain high throughout the state, both candidates agree property tax relief, job creation and ensuring a strong public school system are among the most pressing issues in New Jersey.

“People are really very, very disgusted with the high rate of property taxes and many towns like West Windsor and Hopewell Township — I can’t believe the taxes some people pay there,” Cox said.

Cox, a Republican, is a financial adviser and former Trenton Central High School teacher who served as a Ewing councilman from 2006 to 2010 before losing a bid for re-election.

Turner (D-Lawrence) is the associate director of career services at Rider University and has served in the state Senate since 1998.

She prides herself on her constituent services record.

“I’ve helped so many people that I represent get the kind of services they need and deserve but did not know how to access the programs or the services,” Turner said.

The 15th District, which includes municipalities Trenton, Ewing, Lawrence and West Windsor, along with new additions like West Amwell and Lambertville, is considered a Democratic stronghold, meaning Cox faces an uphill battle.

Turner won her 2007 election with nearly 63 percent of the vote and is known for compiling impressive campaign war chests.

At the beginning of October she was sitting on more than $500,000.

Cox insists, though, that the 15th District deserves better representation.

Like his Assembly running mates, he advocates the adoption of the Fair School Funding Act, a proposal devised by state Sen. Michael Doherty (R-Washington Township) that would distribute school dollars equally to all students, regardless of their school district or socioeconomic status.

The plan would increase state aid to suburban schools like Ewing and West Windsor by millions of dollars, Cox said, and provide vital property tax relief to taxpayers.

School taxes typically make up 60 percent or more of tax bills.

Cox also said he would cut regulations harmful to small businesses and support New Jersey becoming a right-to-work state, which would allow union or public workers to opt out of joining unions or paying dues.

“I do think it’s important for people to be able to have a job without having so much taken out of their pay for union support,” said Cox, who was a member of the NJEA teachers union.

Turner backed public workers and state employees this summer as she fought against pension and benefits reform that will require workers to contribute more to the two systems.

The governor and Legislature should have tackled the high cost of health care in New Jersey before turning to employees to come up with the difference, she said.

Turner believes in greater scrutiny of charter schools and the Opportunity Scholarship voucher program and is cautious about the creation of so-called boutique charter schools in suburban areas with well-regarded public school systems. Regarding property taxes, the legislator said she’s been sponsoring attempts for years to hold a constitutional convention that would allow legislators, officials and residents a chance to think up new ways to fund state services besides relying so heavily on property taxes.

“We need to start thinking outside the box,” she said.

Cox and Turner will take part in a debate tomorrow at the West Windsor municipal center around 11:30 a.m.

A debate involving 15th District Assembly candidates will take place at 10 a.m.